Queen Elizabeth II's life and reign - in pictures

The UK's Queen Elizabeth II has died at the age of 96. She acceded to the throne in 1953 and was the world’s longest-serving head of state. Getty
The UK's Queen Elizabeth II has died at the age of 96. She acceded to the throne in 1953 and was the world’s longest-serving head of state. Getty
The queen was the longest-reigning monarch in British history. Getty
The queen was the longest-reigning monarch in British history. Getty
Queen Elizabeth at the funeral of her husband Prince Philip at Windsor Castle in April 2021. Getty
Queen Elizabeth at the funeral of her husband Prince Philip at Windsor Castle in April 2021. Getty
Queen Elizabeth at Windsor Home Park. She stayed at Windsor Castle during the coronavirus pandemic.
Queen Elizabeth at Windsor Home Park. She stayed at Windsor Castle during the coronavirus pandemic.
The queen and Prince Charles during the opening of parliament in December 2019. Getty
The queen and Prince Charles during the opening of parliament in December 2019. Getty
From left, Queen Elizabeth, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, at Buckingham Palace.
From left, Queen Elizabeth, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, at Buckingham Palace.
Queen Elizabeth views a portrait of her by British artist Henry Ward that marked six decades of patronage to the British Red Cross. Getty
Queen Elizabeth views a portrait of her by British artist Henry Ward that marked six decades of patronage to the British Red Cross. Getty
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip at The Mall in 2016 for an event to celebrate her 90th birthday. Getty
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip at The Mall in 2016 for an event to celebrate her 90th birthday. Getty
The queen at a Chelsea Flower Show display in 2016. Getty
The queen at a Chelsea Flower Show display in 2016. Getty
A train line in London is named after the monarch in 2016. Getty
A train line in London is named after the monarch in 2016. Getty
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip inaugurate the new Scottish Borders Railway in 2015, on the day she became Britain's longest-reigning monarch. Getty
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip inaugurate the new Scottish Borders Railway in 2015, on the day she became Britain's longest-reigning monarch. Getty
The queen and Prince Harry at the Chelsea Flower show in 2015. Getty
The queen and Prince Harry at the Chelsea Flower show in 2015. Getty
The queen records her Christmas message in 3D for the first time in 2012. Getty
The queen records her Christmas message in 3D for the first time in 2012. Getty
The Duchess of Cambridge and Queen Elizabeth watch a children's sporting event in 2012. Getty
The Duchess of Cambridge and Queen Elizabeth watch a children's sporting event in 2012. Getty
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace. Getty
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace. Getty
Barack Obama, US president at the time, and his wife Michelle meet the queen in London in 2011. Getty
Barack Obama, US president at the time, and his wife Michelle meet the queen in London in 2011. Getty
Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge mark their wedding from the balcony of Buckingham Palace alongside the queen and Prince Philip. Getty
Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge mark their wedding from the balcony of Buckingham Palace alongside the queen and Prince Philip. Getty
The monarch opens the Sainsbury Laboratory for Plant Sciences at the University of Cambridge in 2011. Getty
The monarch opens the Sainsbury Laboratory for Plant Sciences at the University of Cambridge in 2011. Getty
Queen Elizabeth with Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, at Windsor Castle after their wedding in 2005. Getty
Queen Elizabeth with Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, at Windsor Castle after their wedding in 2005. Getty
Queen Elizabeth, Prince William and Prince Harry attend the Trooping the Colour parade in 2003. Getty
Queen Elizabeth, Prince William and Prince Harry attend the Trooping the Colour parade in 2003. Getty
Queen Elizabeth at an event to celebrate her mother's 101st birthday in 2001. Getty
Queen Elizabeth at an event to celebrate her mother's 101st birthday in 2001. Getty
The queen and Prince Philip view tributes to Princess Diana at Buckingham Palace after her funeral in 1997. Getty
The queen and Prince Philip view tributes to Princess Diana at Buckingham Palace after her funeral in 1997. Getty
Queen Elizabeth with Nelson Mandela at a banquet in Cape Town, South Africa, in 1995. Getty
Queen Elizabeth with Nelson Mandela at a banquet in Cape Town, South Africa, in 1995. Getty
The monarch with Princess Diana in 1987. Getty
The monarch with Princess Diana in 1987. Getty
The queen with Prince William and Prince Harry watch a polo match in Windsor in 1987. Getty
The queen with Prince William and Prince Harry watch a polo match in Windsor in 1987. Getty
Prince Charles is presented with an award by his mother after a polo match in 1984. Getty
Prince Charles is presented with an award by his mother after a polo match in 1984. Getty
Ronald Reagan, US president at the time, and the queen attend a gala dinner at Windsor Castle in 1982. Getty
Ronald Reagan, US president at the time, and the queen attend a gala dinner at Windsor Castle in 1982. Getty
Prince Charles and Princess Diana with the queen on their wedding day in 1981. Getty
Prince Charles and Princess Diana with the queen on their wedding day in 1981. Getty
The queen with Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Prince Philip, Prince Edward and Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace in 1972. Getty
The queen with Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Prince Philip, Prince Edward and Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace in 1972. Getty
Queen Elizabeth during a visit to New Zealand in 1970. Getty
Queen Elizabeth during a visit to New Zealand in 1970. Getty
The UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, with Queen Elizabeth and Princess Anne at Buckingham Palace in 1969. Getty
The UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, with Queen Elizabeth and Princess Anne at Buckingham Palace in 1969. Getty
Queen Elizabeth presents the World Cup to England captain Bobby Moore in 1966. Getty
Queen Elizabeth presents the World Cup to England captain Bobby Moore in 1966. Getty
Queen Elizabeth at the Tissisal Falls with Emperor Haile Selassie during a visit to Ethiopia in 1965. Getty
Queen Elizabeth at the Tissisal Falls with Emperor Haile Selassie during a visit to Ethiopia in 1965. Getty
Dwight Eisenhower, US president at the time, with the queen, Prince Philip, Princess Anne and Prince Charles at Balmoral Castle in 1959. Getty
Dwight Eisenhower, US president at the time, with the queen, Prince Philip, Princess Anne and Prince Charles at Balmoral Castle in 1959. Getty
Queen Elizabeth at Highclere Castle in 1958. Getty
Queen Elizabeth at Highclere Castle in 1958. Getty
Queen Elizabeth at her coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey, London, in 1953. Getty
Queen Elizabeth at her coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey, London, in 1953. Getty
The queen at Buckingham Palace after her coronation ceremony. Getty
The queen at Buckingham Palace after her coronation ceremony. Getty
Queen Elizabeth at Balmoral Castle in 1952. Photo: Bettmann Archive
Queen Elizabeth at Balmoral Castle in 1952. Photo: Bettmann Archive
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in 1952. Getty
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in 1952. Getty
Princess Elizabeth with Prince Philip at the Royal Horse Show at Windsor in 1949. Getty
Princess Elizabeth with Prince Philip at the Royal Horse Show at Windsor in 1949. Getty
Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip on their wedding day in 1947. Getty
Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip on their wedding day in 1947. Getty
Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace after their wedding. Getty
Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace after their wedding. Getty
Princess Elizabeth repairs a vehicle during the Second World War. Getty
Princess Elizabeth repairs a vehicle during the Second World War. Getty
Princess Elizabeth as Prince Florziel during a Christmas production of 'Cinderella' at Windsor Castle in 1941. Getty
Princess Elizabeth as Prince Florziel during a Christmas production of 'Cinderella' at Windsor Castle in 1941. Getty
Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret play with their pet chameleon at Windsor Castle in 1941. Getty
Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret play with their pet chameleon at Windsor Castle in 1941. Getty
Princess Elizabeth makes her first broadcast, alongside Princess Margaret, in 1940. Getty
Princess Elizabeth makes her first broadcast, alongside Princess Margaret, in 1940. Getty
Princess Elizabeth at her childhood home in London in 1936. Getty
Princess Elizabeth at her childhood home in London in 1936. Getty
Princess Elizabeth with her grandfather King George V and grandmother Queen Mary of Teck in 1935. Getty
Princess Elizabeth with her grandfather King George V and grandmother Queen Mary of Teck in 1935. Getty
Princess Elizabeth, Princess Margaret and their mother Queen Elizabeth cross a railway bridge near the Scottish town of Forfar in 1933. Getty
Princess Elizabeth, Princess Margaret and their mother Queen Elizabeth cross a railway bridge near the Scottish town of Forfar in 1933. Getty
Princess Elizabeth watches a pipe band play in the grounds of Glamis Castle near Forfar in 1929. Getty
Princess Elizabeth watches a pipe band play in the grounds of Glamis Castle near Forfar in 1929. Getty